Afghans who risked their lives for Britain reacted with fury and disbelief today after learning their personal data may have been compromised nearly 50 times in just four years by blundering defence officials.
Branding the number of breaches of personal data entrusted to the Ministry of Defence as ‘devastating’, they demanded to know the details of the leaks, if the Taliban could have benefitted and whether foreign powers such as Russia or Iran could have been behind cyber attacks.
Lawyers representing Afghans affected by breaches accused the Government of overseeing a 'dangerous shambles'.
The MoD has admitted there have been 49 separate data breaches at the unit handling the relocation applications of Afghans, who worked beside the UK during 20 years of conflict, seeking sanctuary from Taliban revenge.
All of the breaches have taken place since April 2021 when the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) was launched. Seven were deemed so serious that they have been referred to the Information Commissioner.
